Silicon Savannah Goes Social

In the past couple of years, Nairobi earned itself the nick name of Silicon Savannah due to a mushrooming start-up scene. Last year, Bloomberg Media estimated Nairobi’s tech scene could be worth as much as $1 billion by 2018. At the same time, social entrepreneurs are gaining ground with the first Impact Hub opening next year. Social entrepreneurs create innovative solutions to tackle society’s most pressing social problems.

International Team hosts Nairobi Entrepreneurs Camp

Magdalena leading through the preparations for the first Nairobi Entrepreneurs Camp

Magdalena Kloibhofer from the international program SEED and Jacob Opara from Nairobi-based MGI Consultants teamed up to organize an event to support young social entrepreneurs. The first Nairobi Entrepreneurs Camp will take place next weekend, October 7-9, 2016 at the renowned Strathmore University in the heart of Nairobi. Magdalena and Jacob gathered a team of around 10 facilitators from Kenya, Germany and France. I have the honor to participate in this good-will workshop and share my knowledge in PR, Marketing as well as non-violent communication.

Jacob Opara and Kamau Irungu from MGI consultants had the idea to support young entrepreneurs in East Africa

Self-confidence is one key to entrepreneurial success

Yesterday we met with parts of the team to finalize the program. Our participants come from both urban and rural settings in Kenya. One focus will be on empowering the young entrepreneurs and supporting them in gaining more self-confidence and training them in diverse business tools.

Learning: Many people believe whites know everything

Silke, author of Student of the World, supports the Nairobi Entrepreneur Camp with expertise on PR, Marketing and non-violent communication

I was a bit shocked when I learned that a significant number of people in Africa find it difficult to talk to a white person on eye-level. They feel inferior, because of their African origin. Jacob explained it was an attitude dating back to colonial times when people were constantly told by white colonizers that they couldn’t do anything of quality by themselves. This attitude must have been passed on over generations since colonization ended in the 1960s. For me, this seems very odd and I am glad Jacob told me. I don’t think I would have figured out quickly that a person I am talking to feels inferior due to their origin or color of skin because that way of thinking is very far away from my own idea of the equality of all human beings.

Good ideas need strong, self-confident voices

It also makes me sad to think that many good ideas may never be carried out because people don’t believe in themselves. Even though this is a problem I also witness in Germany and in my own life, here it is not merely the problem of certain individuals but nearly of a whole continent. I am very excited to get to know these young entrepreneurs and see what they are working on and what ideas they have to improve social issues in Kenya.

Information on partner organizations:

SEED supports small-scale eco-inclusive entrepreneurs around the globe. Over ten years of working with hundreds of enterprises in African countries have resulted in a proven and tested business development toolbox for tailored capacity building. www.seed.uno

Africa.NGO is an international network comprising of youthful actors committed to catalyzing social entrepreneurship opportunities and interventions in Africa. Africa.NGO has a presence in over 10 countries across the continent. https://www.facebook.com/www.africa.ngo/

MGI Consultants Kenya offer customized solutions for corporate development in Renewable Energy, ICT, and Business Development Solutions. MGI is involved in extensive social programs empowering local communities and youth. www.mgiconsultantskenya.com

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One thought to “Silicon Savannah Goes Social”

Its encouraging to read your intent to plug in and even empower individuals to be more self-confident. Though I have a bone to pick with what Jacob mentioned to you. I think low esteem is at a personal level and can’t summarize the majority or a significant number of Africans.

Presently, we have the second generation of Africans who are as self-confident as anyone can be on this planet. Yes, we have among us those who are quite guarded or quite shy, when interacting with new people. However, James’ sentiments more so describe a generation (my grand folks) that is at its old age or are already gone.

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Welcome to Student of the World

Silke, author of Student of the World

Hi! My name is Silke Bettina Oppermann. I have been exploring Today's Solutions for Tomorrow's World in Africa, Asia and Europe. That includes innovative decision-making tools, technologies, new economic paradigms, eco-villages, intentional communities and much more. The aim of this non-profit blog is to spread the word about forward-looking ideas. Enjoy reading...